Speculative Fiction Writer

Mar 11, 2012

Or at least, 7 is presumed to be lucky. As is 3. Wonder why that is...I'm way to curious for my own damn good.

The fantabulous Lauren Waters, fellow campaigner, has tagged me for the Lucky 7 Meme. Following the rules of the game, I'm to:1. Go to page 77 of my current MS/WIP2. Go to line 73. Copy down the next 7 lines – sentences or paragraphs – and post them as they’re written. No cheating4. Tag 7 authors

There's a slight issue with this, as my current WIP novelette Flicker doesn't have 77 pages. Even if I double space it. So, what you're getting is from my very rough 2011 NaNo, Strella PAX. And I mean, rough like sandpaper so bumpy you cut yourself on it. Even worse, because that's the beginning of the novel and as I went along things just went downhill. Page 77 is death touch rough. I haven't even looked at this thing since I wrote it in November.

You've been warned.

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“Some of the stuff in there is mine. Sorta, it’s not like we paid for it.”

“Right then,” Julie placed her hands on her knees and pushed herself up out of the chair. “I’ll get started in the office then. I’m sure there’s lots of information there that shouldn’t be left lying around.”

Michael put on proper clothes before helping her. For a grandmother, Julie moved pretty well. He found her on the floor of the office, sorting paper in piles.

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Sorry Lauren, I know you wanted to see what I was up to but I have a feeling I've sorely disappointed you.

And I feel so embarrassed by the state of of these 7 lines, because, really, me as the author I have only a hazy recollection as to what and where this is going. If I remember right, this is after Polaris and Vega learned that the program that kidnapped them (which they're escaped from) also put hits out on their families, and Julie's from a counter group Polaris's parents started who's offering to hid them.

Gah. Really, this is totally not shareable. But it's good to get over not-sharing humps.

Right, so I have to tag seven authors to do the same now. Here's some of the future bestselling writers!

12 comments:

Thanks for sharing Gwen. I think it's ever so brave. I got a feel for the person speaking, straight from your first sentence. Don't be embarrassed.

Unfortunately, I'm not as brave as you are. I just can't do it. I'm sorry. It's out on submission at the minute, so I just don't want to jinx anything happening. I know, I'm odd! Thank you for thinking of me though.

Thanks for sharing, Gwen. I enjoyed those seven lines. I've also been tagged and will get my 7 lines up (along with some interview questions) later this week. The lines always sound corny to the writer, but it leaves the reader wondering what's going on.

I like that even in the 7 lines we get a real feel of the atmosphere. I may be reading more into it than is there but I feel like it is the quiet before the storm and I really want to know what is going to happen next. No need to feel embarrassed - it was very impressive!

Haha--Gwen, this sounds like so much fun! Off to search for those seven lines. I work on Scrivener, so page numbers are absent until I compile it into a Word doc. i'll see what I come up with. Thanks for tagging me, and for sharing this "out of the closet, you" thing--it will do loads of good :)

Oh--I forgot to mention that your seven ain't at all bad, girl. No need to be embarrassed about them at all! Sure, can do with a bit of tightening, but after all your dire warnings I was really expecting something disastrous, something full of adverbs and starting with "It was a dark and stormy night when X suddenly woke up and looked in the mirror", hahahaha! Your "rough" drafts beat mine all the way :D

This is great stuff! You should see my first drafts—truly frightening. I'm intrigued to where this spry grandma is going to lead Michael. You know, after reading a bunch of these, I find it's so amazing that seven lines can tell you so much.

This is great stuff! You should see my first drafts—truly frightening. I'm intrigued to where this spry grandma is going to lead Michael. You know, after reading a bunch of these, I find it's so amazing that seven lines can tell you so much.